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Torreys Peak (5)

Statistics

  • Date - 05/20/2009
  • Elevation - 14,267'
  • Route - Emperor Couloir
  • Miles - 6.2
  • Elevation Gain - 3,950'
  • ACME Mapper - Link
  • CalTopo - Link
  • Partners - Not Applicable

Description

I hadn't hiked Torreys Peak since 2006 and was looking for a quick alpine fix, so I decided to try and climb the mountain again.  This was my fifth time up Torreys Peak by my fifth route.  On this particular day, I stayed on the north side of the peak and approached from Grizzly Gulch.  I simply did a snow climb of the Emperor Couloir that sits on the north face of Torreys Peak.  This route is on the opposite side of Kelso Ridge from the Dead Dog Couloir.  The Emperor provides 3,000' of snow climbing and is one of Colorado's longest snow climbs.  It took me 3 hours and 55 minutes to climb the route.  I spent 30 minutes on the summit and descended in 1 hour and 40 minutes.  This route provides the opportunity to glissade a long way.  Snow conditions varied, but were generally acceptable.  As I was taking a break and checking my blood sugar level, two skiers passed me.  This was quite a treat since I simply followed their boot pack to the top for the last 40 percent of the climb.

Photos

Torreys PeakRouteTorreys PeakEmperor CouloirRouteEmperor CouloirLooking back down at the start of the climb.Up the climb.Down the climb.Up the climb.Maze of rocks near the summit.Down the climb.Catching some sun on occasion.Down the climb.Summit Snow FieldDown the climb.Grays PeakStevens GulchTuning ForkEmperor Couloir